Press plate seal



May 30, 1967 R. M. SCHULTZ ET Ax. 3,321,853

PRESS PLATE SEAL Filed Sept.

A (di United States Patent O 3,321,853 PRESS PLATE SEAL Roy M. Schultz,Chicago, Harvey L. Davis, Highland Park, and Arvid B. Anderson, ParkRidge, Ill., assignors to Bishop Freeman Co., a corporation of IllinoisFiled Sept. 19, 1966, Ser. No. 580,491 Claims. (Cl. 38-66) Thisinvention relates to garment steaming and pressing equipment and, moreparticularly, is concerned with a press plate assembly incorporating anedge seal to prevent objectionable escape of steam from between the edgeof the press head and the edge of the press plate.

In garment pressing equipment, steam under positive pressure is fed tothe press head and diffuses therethrough to exit in distributed relationthrough the contact face of the press plate. In current practice, thepress plate may be interchanged at times to accommodate some specialpurpose plate. This removal and reseating of the plates leads to aproblem of edge leakage because the head and the plate may not reseat ina sealin-g relationship leading to objectionable escape of steam duringuse which, in addition to the waste involved, can be a danger to theoperator. Further, the head and the plate may not be of exactly the sameconfiguration whereby leakage of steam between them occurs. Diffusion ofthe steam throughout the press head is desirable to insure properdistribution and dispersion of the steam exiting through the pressplate, but such diffusion of the steam increases the tendency for edgeleakage. Peripheral seal gaskets or other static type edge sealsdependent upon resilient conformity and seating are not suitable as suchresilient :gasketing materials are frequently impaired by the hightemperature and the steam. Additionally, static type or relativelyimmovable edge seals tend to take a set and upon reapplication seatdifferently upon the head casting, leaving a myriad of minuteescapepassages. Further, where the head and the plate are not of exactly thesame configuration, such as due to warpage, a static type edge seal isrelatively ineffective.

In accordance with the present invention, an improved edge seal isprovided and is positioned between the removably mounted press plate andthe press head to respond in the presence of steam under pressurewhereby an effective edge seal is provided. Flexible stripping ismounted -in circumambient relation underlying the press head and itpresents an elongated free and movable edge responsive to the action ofthe pressurized steam to move into peripheral sealing engagement withthe press head. That action facilitates the use of materials resistantto the steam and capable of repeatedly conforming to the contactsurfaces of the head.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and claims, and are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings which show structure embodying preferred featuresof the present invention and the principles thereof, and what is nowconsidered to be the best mode in which to apply these principles.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment steaming and pressing machineof the type to which the invention directed;

FIG. 2 is a cross section through the press plate assembly and is takenon the line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section similar to that of FIG. 2 andbetter illustrating the mounting and sealing action of the edge sealingmeans;

ICC

FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views correspondinggenerally to that of FIG. 3 and illustrating modified embodiments of theinvention; and

FIG. `6 is a plan corner detail illustrating the edge configuration ofthe flexible stripping at corner regions of the press head assembly.

Referring now to the drawings, a conventional type of steaming andpressing machine is illustrated in FIG. 1 as including a support 10mounting a cloth padded buck 11 such as is adapted to have garmentspressed thereon by means of a hingedly mounted press head assembly 13which may be swung downwardly to engage the garments placed on the buck.Steam is fed to the head to emerge through its contact face as the headis brought into pressing engagement upon the buck.

The head is itself heated by the -action of the steam. That contributesto the problem of edge sealing the head to a press plate such as plate18. The press head assembly 13 is illustrated in FIG. 2 as comprised ofa conventional press head and a press plate 1S. The press head iscomprised of a head casting 14 and an apertured head plate 15, the headcasting 14 forming the top and side walls of a shallow steamdistribution chamber 14S which is fed from a conduit 16 that dischargesfrom heating chamber 14H and enters the distribution chamber 14S at itstop. The head plate 15 spans the open bottom of the head casting and isusually removably fixed thereto to seal in sealed engagement and toserve, in the embodiments illustrated, as part of a circumambientmounting rim 17 that is to receive press plate 18.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the press plate 18 is aperforate rigid metal element provided with an upwardly or rearwardlyextending peripheral flange 18F and is removably disposed across thebottom of the press head in closely spaced relation to the head plate 15to provide a very narrow steam distribution space 19. Press plate 18 isremovably secured to the press head as by springs 18S connected to thepress plate which extend over the top of the press head. The action ofthe steam in diffusing throughout the space 19 in conjunction with steampressure acting in the space 19 increases the tendency towards edgeleakage between the rim 17 and the press plate 18. In FIG. 3 space 19has been exaggerated for purposes of illustration, Le., the plate andhead are shown more widely spaced than is the case where the confrontingplate and head surfaces are truly complementary.

Flexible stripping 20 is mounted as by adhesive A to flange ISF topresent an elongated bridging portion 20E underlying the rim 17 andfitting loosely in the distribution space 19 especially where theconfronting plate and head surfaces are not truly parallel throughout.Where parallel, the seal contacts the peripheral edge of rim 17 such asat corner edge 17C and the lower face edge 17F to seal the head assemblyagainst edge leakage when steam is present and acting to escape. Wherethe surfaces are not truly parallel, for example where the plate or headare warped, the steam pressure moves the bridging position 20E `into asealing relationship at 17C or 17F or both, when the steam is turnedoff, the flexible stripping tends to relax and to return to a positionof rest such as is shown in dotted line in FIG. 3.

The invention is shown in FIG. 4 incorporated in an arrangement whereina diuser plate 21 includes arches 21A of the general type andorientation disclosed in Freeman Patent No. 2,880,529, the plate 21being removable as part of a composite unit that includes a main pressplate 181), with there being a steam distribution space 19 between thediffuser plate 21 and the head plate 15. At its peripheral edge thediffuser plate 21 overlies an associated rearwardly extending peripheralflange 21F terminating in an inwardly beaded lip 21L which is in turnembraced by an inwardly beaded lip 18L provided on the press plateflange 18F. The flexible stripping 20 lies between the head plate anddiffuser plate 21 to under` go a sealing action similar to that depictedin FIG. 3. The movement of the stripping against the corner or lowersurface of the head rim is enhanced by the action of the steam passingthrough the arches 21A and then upwardly beneath the stripping.

A cushioned press plate structure, as shown in FIG. 5, may also beequipped with an edge seal in accordance with this invention. Acushioned press plate assembly is illustrated as including a flangeddiffuser plate 21 having multidirectionally oriented arches 21A, a layer22 of asbestos sheeting overlying the plate 21, a cushion layer 23 ofnylon felt and a cover layer 24 of woven nylon cloth. Once again theflexible stripping lies between the head plate 1S and the press plate toundergo a sealing action in the steam distribution space 19.

The flexible stripping 20 may be anchored in a variety of differentways, some of which are shown herein to facilitate more completedisclosure of the inventive concepts. In FIG. 3, the flexible stripping20 is a separate element having one edge 20A positioned between thepress plate flange and the head casting rim 17 In this form, asillustrated, the anchored edge 20A is secured to the press plate flange18F as by adhesive A.

Alternatively, the stripping may be separately positioned and held byclamping pressure -of a press plate flange. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 4, the anchored edge 20A of the flexible strippingis pinched within the beaded edge of the diffuser plate flange 21F.Finally, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the edges of at least some of thelayers 22 and 24 are return folded about the edge of the diffuser plateflange 21F and the outer cover layer 24 is extended inwardly and aroundthe lip 17 to present the free bridging portion 20E. The cushion layer23 is anchored to the asbestos layer 22 as by stitching S. The returnfolded portions are secured, as by an adhesive, to the diffuser plateflange 21F, however leaving stripping 20 and bridging portion 20E freeto move as has been described. While the anchored edge 20A is shownadjacent the rim 17, no effective seal is developed along this side wallregion because the flange does not circumferentially abut the rim 17.

In any of the disclosed forms, the flexible stripping extends around theperiphery of the press head rim to provide a substantially continuouseffective edge seal which bridges the space between the head rim and thepress plate. The stripping in the regions of the rounded corners vof therim is suitably sheared, as indicated in FIG. 6, to provide individuallymovable sealing and bridging portions 20F successively overlapping atadjacent edges to avoid any substantial linear gathering and wrinklingwhile still maintaining a continuous seal along the rim periphery suchas at 17C and 17F. The sheared edge effect enables sealing surfaces tobe developed throughout the length of the head rim contacted by theflexible stripping.

Even where the flexible stripping is porous such as of woven nyloncloth, it produces an effective edge seal which prevents unimpededdischarge of steam between the plate flange and the rim. Any steam whichmay escape is substantially reduced in pressure and is diffused by thesealing stripping. Other forms of flexible stripping may also be used.

Thus, while preferred constructional features of the invention areembodied in the structure illustrated herein, it is to be understoodthat changes and variations may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a ypress head assembly that includes a press head having a headplate through which steam is to be emitted and bounded by acircumambient rirn and a press plate spanning said head plate in closerelation therebetween, an improved edge seal comprising flexiblestripping positioned between the press head and the press plate, saidflexible stripping being secured to said press plate and presenting anelongated movable bridging portion extending marginally inwardly of saidpress plate to seal against the rim of said head and to respond to steamunder pressure to move into peripheral sealing engagement against saidrim periphery.

2. In a press head assembly in accordance with claim 1 and wherein saidpress plate has curving peripheral regions and said flexible stripping,at such peripheral regions, has spaced slits interrupting and dividingthe same into individually acting bridging portions successivelyyoverlapping at adjacent edges to maintain a continuous seal.

3. In a press head assembly in accordance with claim 1 and wherein saidpress plate includes a liner Plate having a rearwardly directed flangeand having a flexible cover sheet in return fold `relation about saidflange to sealingly abut against the rim and extending marginallyinwardly to serve as the flexible stripping to move into sealingengagement against the rim periphery.

4. In a press head assembly in accordance with claim 1 and wherein saidpress plate has a rearwardly directed flange therearound to surroundsaid rim and wherein said flexible stripping is a distinct and separateelement having an anchored edge sandwiched laterally between said rimand said flange and having a movable bridging portion extendingmarginally inwardly between the press head and the press plate.

5. In a press head assembly in accordance with claim 1 and wherein saidpress plate has a rearwardly directed flange terminating in an internalbeaded lip and wherein said flexible stripping is a distinct andseparate element having an anchored edge clampingly retained within saidlip and having a movable bridging portion extending marginally inwardlybetween the press head and the press plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS PATRICK D. LAWSON, PrimaryExaminer.

1. IN A PRESS HEAD ASSEMBLY THAT INCLUDES A PRESS HEAD HAVING A HEADPLATE THROUGH WHICH STEAM IS TO BE EMITTED AND BOUNDED BY ACIRCUMAMBIENT RIM AND A PRESS PLATE SPANNING SAID HEAD PLATE IN CLOSERELATION THEREBETWEEN, AN IMPROVED EDGE SEAL COMPRISING FLEXIBLESTRIPPING POSITIONED BETWEEN THE PRESS HEAD AND THE PRESS PLATE, SAIDFLEXIBLE STRIPPING BEING SECURED TO SAID PRESS PLATE AND PRESENTING ANELONGATED MOVABLE BRIDGING PORTION EXTENDING MARGINALLY INWARDLY OF SAIDPRESS PLATE TO SEAL AGAINST THE RIM OF SAID HEAD AND TO RESPOND TO STEAMUNDER PRESSURE TO MOVE INTO PERIPHERAL SEALING ENGAGEMENT AGAINST SAIDRIM PERIPHERY.